Part 9, Ascent (Chapters 92-105) Summary

Dennie and Sah'ot return to Streaker's old site to be sure that Hikahi sends the skiff for Toshio rather than Tom. Takkata-Jim is furious over Toshio's latest sabotage of the longboat and tells off Metz for arrogance and ignorance throughout the flight. Sreekah-pol cuts Metz down and the Stenos go on a killing spree. Dying, Metz tells Toshio the plan: to give the Galactics the location of the Derelict Fleet and the Kiqui as the price for freeing Streaker. Toshio rejoins Charles and says that they must stop Takkata-Jim, even if it means being stranded. Their self-sacrifice will make them legends on Earth. Charles confesses to planting a bomb, deep.

In Chapter 94, told that Streaker is ready to fly, Gillian studies a holo of the battlefield and makes contact with Hikahi and Creideiki. Hikahi cannot take command...